Europe's Christmas Markets 2026: Dates and 10 Cities to Choose From

Europe's 2026 Christmas markets run from 13 November to 6 January: Vienna opens the season, Nuremberg, Basel and most likely Strasbourg close before Christmas, while Tallinn, Brussels and, according to travel guides, Prague keep going into early January. For a short break, Alsace and Brussels are under two hours from Paris by train.

Not every city had published its dates by 1 October 2026. For each one we give the source and say when a date is only announced or expected. We will update this page as soon as the missing official dates are published. Entry is free almost everywhere, so travel and hotel nights are what drive the cost, and those climb fast on December weekends.

The 2026 calendar at a glance

If you can only travel after Christmas, go for Prague, Tallinn, Brussels or Colmar: their markets stay open past 25 December. Nuremberg, Strasbourg and Basel close on the 23rd or 24th.

• Vienna (Rathausplatz): 13 November to 26 December, official dates.
• Tallinn: 20 November to 6 January 2027, official dates.
• Colmar: 23 November to 29 December according to Festival en France (until 3 January for the food market and the big wheel), not yet confirmed by the town.
• Strasbourg: 25 November to 24 December according to early announcements, official dates not yet published.
• Basel: 26 November to 23 December, official dates.
• Nuremberg: 27 November to 24 December, official dates.
• Brussels (Plaisirs d'Hiver): 27 November to 3 January 2027, dates announced by the organisers (BX1).
• Prague: 28 November to 6 January 2027 according to travel guides, no official announcement yet.
• Budapest and Copenhagen: 2026 dates not yet published, usually opening in mid-November.

Strasbourg and Colmar: Alsace, two hours from Paris

Strasbourg is France's benchmark: its Christkindelsmärik dates back to 1570 and lines up more than 300 chalets according to Festival en France, from Place Broglie to the cathedral square. Paris is just 1 h 46 away by direct TGV.

For 2026, early announcements give an opening on 25 November and a close on 24 December. The city's official site has not yet confirmed these dates: in 2025, the market ran from 26 November to 24 December. The market spreads across Place Broglie, Place de la Cathédrale, Place du Château, Place Kléber with its giant tree, and Petite France. For the rest of your stay, our Strasbourg guide covers the city beyond December.

Colmar, a short regional train ride from Strasbourg, is all about the setting. Six markets fill the historic centre, from Place des Dominicains to Little Venice. For 2026, Festival en France lists them from 23 November to 29 December; the town has not yet confirmed. The food market on Place Rapp and the big wheel stay on until 3 January 2027 (Festival en France). The two towns pair easily over a long weekend.

Nuremberg, Vienna and Basel: the Germanic tradition

Nuremberg is the archetypal German Christmas market: up to 180 chalets on the Hauptmarkt, from 27 November to 24 December 2026, with its Lebkuchen gingerbread and little grilled sausages. Vienna opens first, from 13 November.

In Nuremberg, the official opening is on Friday 27 November at 5:30 pm, then the market opens daily from 10 am to 9 pm, until 2 pm on 24 December, according to the city of Nuremberg. Look out for Zwetschgenmännle, little figures made of prunes, and straw angels. The 2026 press kit announces up to 180 chalets.

In Vienna, the Wiener Christkindlmarkt sets up in front of the city hall, on Rathausplatz, from 13 November to 26 December, 10 am to 10 pm (Wien.info). The Eistraum ice rink and a 12 m carousel complete the scene. If you were planning to arrive from Paris by sleeper, note that the direct Paris-Vienna Nightjet ran for the last time on 14 December 2025 (Railway News). Our Vienna guide helps you stretch the trip.

Basel, on the Alsace border, holds its market from 26 November to 23 December on Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz, 11 am to 8:30 pm. Children get their Märchenwald, a fairy-tale forest with tin casting and gingerbread decorating (canton of Basel-Stadt).

Prague and Budapest: Central Europe into January

Prague keeps celebrating until Epiphany: guides list its Old Town Square market from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. Budapest has not yet published its dates but usually opens in mid-November.

In Prague, the main market sets up on Old Town Square, below the Týn Church, and six other squares have their own, including Wenceslas Square and Náměstí Míru. In 2025 it ran from 25 November to 6 January, with free entry (Loudavým krokem). Try trdelník, a rolled pastry baked on a spit, and roasted chestnuts. The 2026 dates come from specialist guides, not yet from the city, so check before you book. Our Prague guide lists the rest of the programme.

In Budapest, two markets lead the way: Vörösmarty Square and the forecourt of St Stephen's Basilica, with its light show on the façade. The specialities are kürtőskalács, a chimney cake, and lángos, a fried flatbread, priced at roughly €4 to €9 by Budapest Trip. The official 2026 dates are not yet published.

Brussels, Tallinn and Copenhagen: Grand-Place, the Baltic and Tivoli

Brussels is the easiest market to reach from Paris, 1 h 22 by train, with Plaisirs d'Hiver open from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Tallinn, further away, has one of the best-preserved medieval settings in Europe.

Brussels' Plaisirs d'Hiver (Winter Wonders) celebrates its 25th edition in 2026, with France's Béarn and Basque Country as guest regions (BX1). The trail links the Grand-Place, the Bourse, Place Sainte-Catherine and the Fish Market. The 2025 edition drew more than 4.3 million visits, so avoid Saturday evenings if you can.

In Tallinn, the market fills Town Hall Square from 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, and the big tree is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, 29 November 2026, according to the tourist board. Pack warm clothes: night falls early on the Baltic in December.

In Copenhagen, Christmas is mostly about the Tivoli Gardens. The 2025-2026 season ran from 13 November to 3 January (Tivoli), and the 2026 dates are not yet out. Unlike the other markets on this list, Tivoli charges for entry.

Which Christmas market should you choose?

For a weekend without flying from Paris, pick Strasbourg and Colmar or Brussels. For tradition, Nuremberg. For a trip between Christmas and New Year, Prague, Tallinn or Brussels. For 31 December itself, see where to spend New Year's Eve abroad.

• Train weekend from Paris: Strasbourg (1 h 46) and Colmar, or Brussels (1 h 22).
• German tradition: Nuremberg, its Lebkuchen and grilled sausages.
• Imperial city and concerts: Vienna, open from mid-November.
• After 25 December: Prague, Tallinn, Brussels, or Colmar until 29 December.
• With children: Basel and its fairy-tale forest, or Tivoli in Copenhagen.
• Tight budget: Budapest, where market snacks cost around €4 to €9.

Book your hotel early for December weekends, especially in Strasbourg and Colmar, where rooms go fast. And if you would rather have sunshine, our pick of where to go in December covers the other side of winter.

Frequently asked questions

When do Europe's Christmas markets open in 2026?

Between 13 and 28 November depending on the city. Vienna opens first on 13 November, Tallinn on the 20th, Colmar around the 23rd, Strasbourg around the 25th, Basel on the 26th, Nuremberg and Brussels on the 27th, and Prague on 28 November according to travel guides.

Which Christmas markets stay open after Christmas?

Tallinn until 6 January 2027, Prague too according to travel guides, Brussels until 3 January, Colmar until 29 December according to early announcements and Vienna until the 26th. Nuremberg closes on 24 December, Basel on the 23rd, and Strasbourg is expected to close on the 24th.

What is the best Christmas market near Paris?

Strasbourg, 1 h 46 by TGV, with more than 300 chalets and a market that dates back to 1570. Brussels, 1 h 22 by train, is the other option for a day trip or a weekend.

Do you have to pay to enter Christmas markets?

No, entry is free in Strasbourg, Colmar, Nuremberg, Vienna, Basel, Prague, Brussels, Budapest and Tallinn. Only Tivoli, in Copenhagen, charges an entrance fee.

Guided tour of Strasbourg's Christmas markets

A guided walk we picked and checked to discover Strasbourg's markets with a local (partner link, free cancellation up to 24 hours before).